Ballot-box



(ModeL) J. W-ELOVH. Ballot-Box.

No. 226,689. Patented A r l 20 ll'PETERS, FHOTQYUTKODRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH WELOH, OF DELPHOS, onto.

BALLOT-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 226,689, dated April 20, 1880.

Application filed March 6, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH WELCH, of Delphos, in the county of Van W'ert and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ballot-Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in ballot-boxes; and it consists in having an open space in the top of the box, in which the white and black balls are kept ready for the voter, and which opening is so constructed that a person can see down into it from the top of the box and thrust his hand into it from one side.

It further consists in forming a groove or guide in the chamber formed in the lower part of the box for the purpose of operating the spring-catch which locks the drawer, and forming inclined planes on the sides of the chambers for the purpose of opening the top of the drawer as it is beingpushed into place, whereby when the balls are dropped they will run directly into the drawer, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same, taken at right angles thereto. Fig. 3 is a view of the latch.

A represents a suitable chamber, of any desired size, which is provided with a handle for carrying it around, and which chamber has made upon its top an enlargement or open chamber, B. This chamber is entirely open at one side, where the voter thrusts in his hand, and has an opening, 0, through its top, so that the voter can look down through it and see the balls which are lying on the bottom D. This enlargement or top chamber is thus formed so that when the voter puts his hand in from the open side no one around him can see how hehas voted, for his hand is wholly concealed from those who may be standing directly by him. The balls are drop'pedin the small funnel E,

and then run down through a passage-way made in the side of the chamber A. Fitting into this chamber A is a drawer, G, having a (ModeL) handle on its outer end and a cover, I, on its top, which cover is hinged near the front end of the drawer, as shown. The cover while closed is locked by the double springcatch L, which catches extend down into the drawer and fasten upon the catches M, secured to the bottom. Over these catches M on the bottom, and extendin gdiagonally forward into the box, is placed a sheet of metal, 0, which has holes through it just large enough to allow the ends of the spring-catches to pass down through it, and which piece of sheet metal directs the balls toward the front end of the drawer and acts as a guide to discharge the balls back into their place in the chamber B. This covering 0 serves to prevent the balls from interfering with the automatic working of the catches in such a manner as to prevent the cover from being locked at any time.

In the top ofthe chamberA is made the groove P, into which the upper ends of the springcatches run as the drawer is being pushed into place, and as this groove is made widest at its outer end, as the drawer moves forward, the upper ends of the catches are pushed together, so as to unlock the cover.

Secured to two opposite sides of the chamber A are the inclined planes R, which, as the drawer is being pushed into the chamber, catch under the projecting edges of the cover and raise the cover upward above the drawer, so that the rear end of the drawer will be always open when the box is in position, and thus ready for the balls to drop directly into it. The rear end of the drawer comes directly under the opening S, through which the balls drop, and then the balls run directly into the drawer.

As the drawer is being drawn outward its top drops downward, and the catches lock it, so that by the time the drawer is removed from the frame it is locked, so that only those whose business it is can see what. kind of balls have been dropped therein.

This ballot-box is intended especially for the use of secret societies, and is constructed as above described for the purpose of preventing those around from seeing how each voter votes.

The box may be made very plain or may be provided with any desired degree of ornamentation.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A ballotbox having a chamber or enlargement upon its top, which is open upon one side to allow thelvoter to thrust his hand in, and which'h'as an opening through its top, so that the voter can look down and select the ball, substantially as shown.

2. In a ballot-box, the chamber A, havinginclines on its inner sides, in combination with a drawer having a hinged cover which is raised at one end by the incline as the drawer is bein g placed in position, substantially as set forth.

3. In a ballot-box, the combination of the chamber A, having a groove in its top to operate the spring-latch, and inclines on its sides to raise the cover of the drawer, whereby, as

the drawer is pushed in position, the cover will be first unlocked and then raised upward, substantially as specified.

4. In a ballot-box, the combination of the chamber A, provided with a drawer having an enlarged top and a springcatch, with the inclines in the chamber, and a chamber, B, upon the top of the chamber A, to hold the balls and conceal the voters hands, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of February, 1880.

JOSEPH VVELGH.

\Vitnesses: 7

O. J. OSTENDORF, A. M. BoUMoN. 

